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Author Topic:   Rationalizing

DerekM posted 03-22-99 04:16 PM ET
OK, here is the thread where we try to rationalize every absurdity of the SMAC universe. NOTE: This is not intended for SMAC-bashing. The purpose of this is to stretch credibility.
Example: Combat being attack value vs. armor, with defending unit's weapon not counting.
Rationalization: The prevalence of AC lifeforms makes normal detection levels MUCH less effective then on Earth. Thermal gets all fouled up. Radar reflections abound. Visual spotting is very difficult. Lower light levels and dealing with multiple light sources (binary system, after all) makes it even harder. This is why recon sats can see land masses, but not individual units. It also means that the unit which attacks almost always has the advantage of surprise, making it very difficult for the defenders to mount an active response until after the initial assault.
Wow, that was REALLY a stretch...
Jasper McChesney posted 03-22-99 04:23 PM ET
Yes, it was Ok, here goes: By the same token as in Derek's, stacked units are only defended by a single memebr of their group - too many troops get muddled up in the atmospheric conditions and become ineffective. Anayone care to explain why stacked units take damage?
CrayonX posted 03-22-99 06:41 PM ET
Stacked units take damage because, as with any grouping of units in military combat, some units are damaged more than others, which may not be damaged at all, so, even if one unit is damaged, the collective is considered "damaged" if you average out the damage.
I used "damage" too much in that sentence. I must be damaged
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Author	Topic: Rationalizing
DerekM	posted 03-22-99 04:16 PM ET OK, here is the thread where we try to rationalize every absurdity of the SMAC universe. NOTE: This is not intended for SMAC-bashing. The purpose of this is to stretch credibility. Example: Combat being attack value vs. armor, with defending unit's weapon not counting. Rationalization: The prevalence of AC lifeforms makes normal detection levels MUCH less effective then on Earth. Thermal gets all fouled up. Radar reflections abound. Visual spotting is very difficult. Lower light levels and dealing with multiple light sources (binary system, after all) makes it even harder. This is why recon sats can see land masses, but not individual units. It also means that the unit which attacks almost always has the advantage of surprise, making it very difficult for the defenders to mount an active response until after the initial assault. Wow, that was REALLY a stretch...
Jasper McChesney	posted 03-22-99 04:23 PM ET Yes, it was Ok, here goes: By the same token as in Derek's, stacked units are only defended by a single memebr of their group - too many troops get muddled up in the atmospheric conditions and become ineffective. Anayone care to explain why stacked units take damage?
CrayonX	posted 03-22-99 06:41 PM ET Stacked units take damage because, as with any grouping of units in military combat, some units are damaged more than others, which may not be damaged at all, so, even if one unit is damaged, the collective is considered "damaged" if you average out the damage. I used "damage" too much in that sentence. I must be damaged